Amphetamine-associated ischemic stroke: clinical presentation and proposed pathogenesis

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2007 Jul-Aug;16(4):185-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2007.04.001.

Abstract

We report a young lady with acute left middle cerebral artery infarction after acute intake of amphetamine. This is the first case report of amphetamine-induced ischemic stroke with serial angiography and transcranial color-coded Doppler studies. The temporal sequence of stenosis of at least 3 weeks with subsequent complete resolution by 3 months and a "beaded" appearance on angiography support vasculitis or vasospasm as the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in this patient. The presence of microembolic signals supports acute thrombosis at the site of vasculitis/vasospasm with distal embolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / complications
  • Aphasia / etiology
  • Brain Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Ischemia / etiology*
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / etiology*
  • Intracranial Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Embolism / etiology
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / etiology
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / adverse effects*
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Perceptual Disorders / etiology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / chemically induced*
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / complications
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / chemically induced*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / complications

Substances

  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine